From Chief of Police Tim Duriso and all of the dedicated men and women of the Port Arthur Police Department, we wish a safe and prosperous New Year to all of our citizens of the city of Port Arthur and surrounding communities. 

Karen from Nederland asks: Officer Antoine, with all the questions you encounter and provide easy-to-follow answers what would you think would be the craziest question someone has asked you?

Answer: Good question, Karen: As I have always stated, Karen, the only bad question is the one you’re afraid to ask! I believe all questions are valid if someone asks it, and the question deserves an equal or more responsible answer. If one person asks a question, there are thousands of others who would ask the same question but refuse to ask. Karen, I wouldn’t call this a crazy question, but I will say it’s a law in Texas that makes you scratch your head. For yours and other readers’ enjoyment, I will include all other states in this nation with head-scratching laws. Keep in mind, laws are made until something happens. Karen would you believe In Texas you don’t have to have a windshield on your vehicle, but you must have working windshield wipers! You won’t believe In Alabama, it’s a law: no driving while blindfolded. Pet lovers in Alaska, it’s illegal to tie a dog to your car roof. Arizona, it’s against the law to drive a car in reverse on a public road.

Arkansas, don’t honk your car horn anywhere that serves cold drinks or sandwiches after 9 p.m. California, it’s against the law for women to drive in a housecoat. Colorado, it’s illegal to drive a black car on a Sunday in Denver.

Connecticut, a fire engine should not exceed 25 mph, even on the way to a fire. Delaware, you cannot change clothes in your vehicle. Florida, by law, you must feed the parking meter if you tie an elephant, goat or alligator to it.

Georgia, it’s illegal to spit from a car or bus, but it’s OK to spit from a truck. Hawaii, it’s against the law for any vehicle in motion to use its hazard lights. Idaho, anyone over age 88 is forbidden to ride a motorcycle in Idaho Falls. Watch out in Illinois; it’s illegal to drive a car without a steering wheel. Indiana, it’s against the law to sell cars on Sundays. Iowa, Mount Vernon, it’s illegal to throw a Red Ryder onto the highway. Kansas, you can’t transport dead poultry in this state. Kentucky, it’s illegal for your pet to molest a vehicle in Fort Thomas.

Louisiana, a woman’s husband is required by law to wave a flag in front of her car before she can drive it. Maine, it’s illegal to buy a car on a Sunday. Watch out, Texas, but in Maryland, it’s a crime to swear (curse) from a vehicle in Rockville. Massachusetts, you cannot drive with a gorilla in your backseat. Michigan, it’s against the law to sit in the middle of the street and read a newspaper. Minnesota, you are a public nuisance if you drive a truck that leaves mud, dirt or sticky substances on the road.

Mississippi, in Oxford, it’s illegal to honk your horn because it might scare nearby horses. Missouri, you can’t honk someone else’s car horn. Montana, unless you have a chaperone, it’s illegal to have sheep in your truck. Nebraska, by law, drivers on mountains should drive with caution near the right edge of the highway, (hint hint) even though there are no mountains in Nebraska. Nevada, it’s illegal to ride a camel on the highway. New Hampshire, it’s against the law to inhale bus fumes with the intent of inducing euphoria. New Jersey, frowning at a police officer is against the law here. New Mexico, it’s illegal for cab drivers to reach out and pull potential customers into their taxis. New York, it’s against the law to disrobe in your car in Sag Harbor. North Carolina, it’s illegal to play in traffic. North Dakota, you’re breaking the law when you put a penny in an automatic parking ticket machine. Ohio, it’s illegal to run out of gas in Youngstown. Oklahoma, it’s illegal to read a comic book while driving. Oregon, by law, you must yield to pedestrians when driving on the sidewalk. Pennsylvania, when driving on a country road at night, you must stop every mile and set off flares or other warning signals and then allow 10 minutes for livestock to clear the road. Rhode Island, it’s illegal to ride a horse on a highway for the purpose of racing or testing the speed of the horse. South Carolina, it’s unlawful to store trash in your vehicle in Hilton Head. South Dakota, you only need to be 14 years old to get your license. Tennessee, it’s illegal to shoot any game other than whales from a moving vehicle. Utah, by law, birds have the right of way on all highways. Vermont, it’s illegal for cars to backfire in Rutland. Men you’re gonna love this one in Virginia: Women are prohibited from driving a car on Main Street unless her husband is walking in front of the car waving a red flag. We all need this law like Washington: A motorist with criminal intentions must stop at the city limits and telephone the chief of police, as he is entering the town. West Virginia, it’s legal to eat road kill. Wisconsin, it’s against the law for a person to ride a bicycle with their hands off the handlebars. Wyoming, by law, you must close a gate crossing over a road, river, stream or ditch or you risk a $750 fine.

May God Bless your 2019…

Ask a Cop is written by Port Arthur Police Officer Rickey Antoine.